From reeling to streaking, Raptors reach critical stage as NBA trade deadline fast approaches

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All things considered, it would be both premature and foolish believing the Raptors have somehow turned a corner by turning back two underwhelming foes.

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A win over Portland and two over Charlotte has helped inject life into a Raptors team that looked to be teetering.

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They were certainly reeling when five of six games were lost as the Raptors dropped to a season-low seven games under .500 once the remnants of last Friday night’s setback to visiting New York were officially put to rest.

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Head hoops honcho Masai Ujiri isn’t into such trivial matters as competing for a berth in the play-in tournament, but that’s precisely where the Raptors sit as they wrap up their season-high six-game home stand Saturday night when the Atlanta Hawks come to town.

Super Saturday in sports features the start of the NFL’s wild-card weekend and a much-anticipated showdown in Beantown between the Maple Leafs and Bruins.

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Lost in the sporting shuffle will be the Raptors, unless they can continue this momentum before they hit the road.

Whatever inroads have been made in winning three straight can easily be forgotten if the Raptors fail to ground the Hawks.

With the NBA’s Feb. 9 trade deadline fast approaching, the jury is still out on the Raptors.

The Raptors are flush with assets, but decisions nonetheless must be made that could potentially dictate the path moving forward.

A total of 14 games will be played prior to deadline day, including an onerous seven-game trip out West.

“We’ve just got to keep going,’’ said Scottie Barnes after he posted one of his finest games in Thursday’s win over the Hornets.

“Don’t settle for less. Take it one game at a time right now. Stay hungry. That’s what the team mindset is right now, stay hungry.”

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An aggressive Barnes helps.

When he’s passive, and there have been times this season when Barnes hasn’t been engaged, the sophomore forward who often serves as a point forward becomes a non-factor.

Rewind to Thursday’s win when the Raptors never trailed, an evening that saw Barnes score 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting to complement his seven-rebound and nine-assist performance.

He ended the night with a team-high plus-15 rating.

His pace and play helped set the tone.

Toronto led 69-55 at intermission with Barnes responsible for seven of the team’s combined 19 assists.

During Toronto’s two-game sweep of the Hornets, Barnes produced 16 assists.

Of greater significance is the zero turnovers he committed.

Toronto turned Charlotte over 22 times in its 124-114 win, leading to 26 points.

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Credit the kid for stepping up during a 10-game stretch that has seen Barnes average 16.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

The underlining question is whether this level of play can be sustained, which speaks to the overall team play and whether this three-game streak has merit.

“We’re trying to make some progress,’’ said head coach Nick Nurse, who didn’t have to play any of his starter in excess of 40 minutes Thursday night. “There’s a good sign with shots going in (Toronto drained a season-high 20 threes in Tuesday’s win over Charlotte), there’s a good sign with the high number of assists (Toronto recorded a combined 62 dimes in two games versus the Hornets), there’s a little bit more life off the bench.

“There are some good signs for sure.”

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Whether it’s a sign of the changing times is yet to be determined.

SPICY HOT

Pascal Siakam pulled off one of the most remarkable statistical feats in team history Thursday night.

Spicy P produced his seventh 30-point game of the season, and 50th of his career, by pouring in a game-high 35 points.

He needed only 13 attempts from the field, the lowest in a 35-point game by any Raptor.

“There’s a lot of film watching and just trying to see how I can exploit the defence,” Siakam said. “I think most of the time, for me, I always wanted to be quicker and just finish.

“But sometimes, it’s taking what the defence is giving you and being more calm.”

Toronto is 15-6 the past two seasons when Siakam reaches the 30-point mark.

In terms of games scoring 30 or more points, Siakam trails Chris Bosh (60) Vince Carter (91) and DeMar DeRozan (96).

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PRECIOUS MOMENT

Precious Achiuwa isn’t quite there in terms of regaining his rhythm after he missed 24 games because of an ankle sprain.

At the same time, he is getting close.

A healthy and an in-rhythm Achiuwa provides Toronto with a much-needed burst off the bench.

A healthy and an in-rhythm Achiuwa also gives the team a key defensive weapon, especially in late-game moments.

In back-to-back wins over Charlotte, Achiuwa posted back-to-back games of reaching double figures in scoring.

His 10 points Thursday in under 18 minutes led all Toronto reserves.

He was the fourth guy off the bench.

Achiuwa also recorded five steals, a career high.

His presence off the bench gives the second unit added length and activity.

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“I really liked how Precious took the ball to the basket,’’ Nurse said. “I liked his aggressiveness.”

THE O IN O.G.

For the 10th game this season, O.G. Anunoby did not make a single trip to the line.

In fact, in his past six games he has attempted five three throws.

One can look at the numbers in a variety of ways, whether it speaks to settling on the perimeter, overpowering a small defender when matched up on the block or simply not enough paint touches.